Singapore, 25 July 2010

Shape Run 2010, the fifth and biggest edition of Singapore's first women-only running race, concluded successfully this morning at Nicoll Highway. A record 10,000 women – most donning the lime green-coloured Nike Shape Run race tee - participated in the race, which offered 5km and 10km challenges.

The event, organised by Shape Singapore, a publication licensed under American Media Inc. and published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd, was flagged off by Guest of Honour, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Mayor, North East District, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports & Ministry of Transport, at 7am for the 10km category, and at 7.30am for the 5km category.

Vivian Tang, 39, defended her title successfully with a dominant display, completing the 10km event in 39 min 57 seconds, ahead of Raffles Institution (Junior College) student Mok Ying Rong (40 min 42 seconds). Tang, a three-time Singapore Marathon champion, bagged $1,000 in cash along with a bounty of fabulous products and services.

"The Shape Run is one of my key races of the year. I like the new route this year, because it didn't clash with the 5km category," she said. "I'm happy to have won again." Her timing was nearly a minute slower than last year's (38:06), but she attributed it to a longer race course.

Mok, 16, running in her first Shape Run, kept pace with Tang for the first three kilometres, but was unable to keep up when the veteran runner raised her pace. "I felt very slow today, with very heavy legs. I was targeting to break 40 minutes," she said.

Of the field, 44 per cent tackled the 10km route, which passed by landmarks such as the National Stadium and Kallang Riverside Park. The majority took up the 5km challenge, which is more suited to first-timers and novices.

The 5km title went to Elaine Lim, 28, who clocked 19 min 37 seconds to clinch a $500 winner's cheque plus fantastic products and services. The physical education teacher ran shoulder to shoulder with Yvonne Lin, 19, for most of the race, before pulling away in the final kilometre. Lin, who is waiting to start university, was second in 19 min 49 seconds.

Said Lim, who specialises in the half-marathon distance: "I'm happy because I just wanted to run under 20 minutes. I don't usually do 5km races, so I didn't know how to pace myself." On her first Shape Run experience, she said: "It was very well organised. I always like women's races because the people are a lot more civilised and less pushy."

For Lin, it was her second Shape Run, after participating in the inaugural event in 2006. "I think the race organisation has improved, and there were cyclists to guide the top three runners," she said.

In the Corporate category, the team from TRF – consisting of Chang Shuwen, Silvia Bettoni, Lisa Loh, Petrina Hu and Lee Pei Yu – clinched the top prize of $1,000 cash and products and services. The average of their members' top three times was the lowest among 129 corporate teams.

Mr Teo Ser Luck, along with his two kids, was supporting his wife in the 5km event. He said: "It's a great family affair. At the Shape Run, family members can come support their mom, their sister, their girlfriends."

Participants ended their run along Nicoll Highway MRT Station, where they were treated to sports massages, drinks and refreshments, as well as opportunities to sample various merchandise.

Each finisher also went home with a Runner's Kit – a Shape sports tote filled with beauty and health products and vouchers, nutritious snacks, spa vouchers, fitness trial passes and many other freebies. They also received a unique finisher's bracelet, and will have a race certificate with their personal timing posted to them soon.

"The women came, ran and conquered – be it their competition or their personal limitations. Each and every participant of Shape Run 2010 should give themselves a huge pat on their backs for their effort," said Jeanette Wang, Associate Editor, Shape.

Said Irene Tan, General Manager, Fashion & Beauty, SPH Magazines, "Shape Run2010 has been a roaring success. The weather was perfect – sunny yet cool – and the camaraderie quite priceless. The sponsors' booths were also packed to the brim, with women trying out skincare, health foods and more."

Shape Run 2010 was proudly presented by Japanese car maker Subaru and co-presented by Nike Running, with Kellogg's as the main sponsor. Other sponsors included Aibi, BIC Shaver, Biotherm, California Raisins, CitiSpa, H-TWO-O, Marigold Yoghurt, ParkwayHealth, True Fitness and Vitagen Collagen.